To a solution of 1.38 g of 3-(cyclohexylmethoxy)-5-methylpyridin-2-amine in 24 ml of toluene were added 1.21 ml of ethyl 2-chloro-3-oxobutanoate and 1.23 ml of triethylamine, followed by stirring at 110° C. for 3 days. After leaving to be cooled at room temperature, water and diisopropyl ether were added thereto to carry out a layer separation operation. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The obtained residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to obtain 1.52 g of ethyl 8-(cyclohexylmethoxy)-2,6-dimethylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylate.
